HC Deb 04 November 1947 vol 443 c1521
6. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is intended to permit visits by relatives to war graves located in Germany.

Mr. Shinwell

I regret that, owing to accommodation and transport difficulties, it is not yet possible to arrange visits to graves in Germany.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor was pressed for 18 months to make some arrangements, and can he now give at any rate some indication as to when these visits will be permitted?

Mr. Shinwell

I should like to do so, but transport difficulties have become rather more acute and an early decision is not likely. I will keep the matter under review and do what I can to assist.

Mr. Carson

Could not the right hon. Gentleman mitigate this hardship to some extent by speeding up the sending of photographs of these graves to the relatives concerned, as many of them have not got photographs, and urgently want them?

Mr. Shinwell

That is another question, but I will take note of what the hon. Gentleman says.